Valve with washout slot



March 11, 969 R E. DOREMUS ETAL 3,431,936

VALVE WITH WASHOUT SLOT Filed Dec. 21, 1966 INVENTOR SWORTH D E RD E. DO M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A valve with an elongated inlet fitting for which washout is provided when the valve is closed through a drain opening in the face of the end wall thereof and a passageway beneath the end wall of a valve communicating with the drain opening.

This invention relates to valves, and more particularly to valves for use in a system for dispensing liquids from a keg or a barrel.

One widely adapted system for dispensing fluids, such as beer, from a keg is known as the Golden Gate system. This system utilizes a first valve in the wall of the keg which is connected to a source of pressurized gas. A tapping valve is located in a side wall adjacent the keg bottom which accommodates a tapping device, such as a spigot and a normally closed liquid fill opening is also located in the keg side wall. Rotation of the tapping device in the tapping valve in a first direction opens the valve to permit dispensing of the beer from the keg under pressure of the gas while locking the tapping device to the valve. Rotation of the tapping device in a second direction closes the valve and disengages it from the valve.

In tapping valves of the type described above, it has been proposed to provide an extension on the valves inlet fitting within the keg so that the fitting will ex tend further down into the keg and more of the keg contents can be withdrawn. Tapping valves of this general type are shown in Patents 2,545,620, to Lamoureux; 3,115,149, to Tonna; and 3,115,150, to Sariotti.

While such extensions are useful in withdrawing a somewhat greater quantity of liquid from the key, they cause a problem in keg cleaning. Keg cleaning usually takes place with the tapping valve closed so that the keg can be filled with a cleaning solution. Since a caustic cleaning solution is usually used, an arrangement must be provided to ensure that none of the solution remains in the extension, i.e., that the extension is completely drained. Otherwise the cleaning solution would contaminate the normal contents of the keg. One such arrangement for draining the tapping valve extension is shown in our patent application Ser. No. 545,364, entitled, Valve With Stop and Washout, which is assigned to the same assignee. In that application, the extension is drained through a recess formed in the valve end wall. The recess also serves as a track for a stop to limit rotation of the valve.

While the draining arrangement for the extension on the valve inlet member in our aforesaid application is fully operative, it gives rise to several problems. First of all, since a portion of the end wall of the valve body member is cut away, there is a greater chance of leakage since the seal or seat for the valve member must be of smaller size and has a smaller area of the end wall on which to rest. Further, a portion of the seat material, which is preferably Teflon, overhangs the recess in the end wall. This gives rise to a possibility of skiving the seat material as it rides over the shoulder of the wall of the recess.

In accordance with the present invention, a valve is provided with a washout or draining arrangement in which, when the valve is closed, communication is made between the port on the inlet fittings extension and a drain hole in the valves end wall. A passageway formed in the solid portion of the end wall beneath its face communicates with the hole so that the extension on the inlet fitting can be readily drained when the valve is closed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved valve with an extension member and an arrangement for draining the same.

A further object is to provide a valve having a draining arrangement for an extension member with a drain slotformed in the valve end wall beneath its face.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification and annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view taken partially in section of a fully assembled valve made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the valve of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-5 are sectional views taken along the respective corresponding numbered lines of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is also a sectional view along lines 55 of FIG. 1 with the valve member rotated 90 from the position shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a top view taken in section through a plane similar to line 44 of FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-6, the tapping valve 20 of the present invention has a hollow main body portion, or barrel, 21 formed with a ring flange 22 at one end thereof. The body 21 may be formed by any suitable process, such as investment casting. Flange 22 fits within a sleeve and flange on the barrel or keg (not shown) to which the valve is to be attached. A sealing washer of any suitable material, such as rubber or a synthetic material, for example, is placed between the valve and keg flanges. Valve 20 is held within the keg by a locking ring overlying valve flange 22 and screwed into mating threads on the sleeve of the keg wall. Outwardly extending tab 24 on the valve flange 22 positions valve 20 in a groove in the keg sleeve so that a tapping device (not shown) may be readily inserted with its spigot pointing in a predetermined direction. The interior of the valve body 21 adjacent flange 22 has a pair of half threads 30 to accommodate the mating threads of the tapping device. The keg and the other details of the tapping system, including the tap valve, are omitted since they do not form a part of the invention.

The end of the main body 21 opposite flange 22 terminates in a thickened end wall 35 whose outer face 36 is substantially flat. A hole 37 through end wall 35 accommodates a rotatable spindle 39 whose threaded end 42 passes therethrough. The other end of spindle 39 has a polygonal, or otherwise keyed, head adapted to mate with a corresponding portion of the tapping device which turns the spindle 39 as it is rotated into and out of threads 30. A washer (not shown) may be located within a boss surrounding hole 37 at the lower side of wall 35 to prevent leakage through the spindle.

A port 44 is formed through the end wall 35 to com munieate with the interior of the valve body 21. While port 44 is illustrated as being generally elliptical in shape, it can also have other suitable shapes. The contents of the keg are emptied through port 44 to the tapping spigot when the valve is open.

A pair of flats 43 is formed on the spindle 39 to key corresponding pairs of flats 51 and 61 on respective central holes 52 and 62 of a valve seat and a valve member, or butt, 60. Both the seat 50 and butt are formed with corresponding ports 54 and 64 which are aligned when the seat and butt are mounted correctly on the spindle 39. The valve member 60, which can be made of the same or different metal material as the body, also has an outwardly projecting tubular inlet extension 65 with a generally L-shaped passage 64a communicating with its port 64. The outer end of the extension is shown lying within the confines of the valve sleeve flange 22, but it can be made longer. As shown, both the seat and butt are generally circular in shape with a reduced diameter section whose function is described below.

Seat 50 and butt 60 are held on the spindle 39 and the seat is brought into sealing engagement with the outer face of the end wall 35 by a washer 70 and a pair of nuts 71 screwed down on spindle threads 42 against an upper boss 75 of butt 60. A packing Washer 73 is located within a recess in the boss 75 together with a washer 76 to seal the threaded end of spindle 39. Nuts 71 are tightened down on threads 42 to a degree sufiicient to seal the valve against leakage while still permitting rotation of seat 50 and valve member 60 with respect to the bearing face 36 of valve end wall 35.

To hold the seat 50 and butt 60 together, the lower face of the butt is formed with a continuous depression or groove 65 lying inwardly of the butts outer edge which has the same general arcuate or circular contour as the outer edge of the butt. Curved groove 65 also has two spokes 67 which extend radially inwardly, one on each side of the port 64.

The seat 50 has a raised rib 55 of mating contour to the butt groove 65 including a pair of spokes 57 extending radially inwardly, one on each side of port 54. The raised rib 55 and spokes 57 of the seat 50 mate with the corresponding groove 65 and groove spokes 67 on the butt so that the two members are mechanically locked together and rotated as a single unit as the spindle 39 is turned. This locking arrangement also provides a liquid seal between the mating faces of the seat and butt so that the keg liquid under pressure is prevented from leaking therethrough to the central holes 52 and 62 of the seat and butt.

An O-ring 74 is placed around the spindle between the mating faces of the seat and butt to provide a further seal for the respective holes 52 and 62. Annular depressions are formed in the face of both the seat 50 and butt 60 to accommodate the thickness of the O-ring. It should be understood, of course, that the ribs and grooves on the butt and seat can be reversed to lock the two members together, i.e., place the rib on the butt and the groove on the seat.

The face of seat 50 opposite the valve end wall 35 is made substantially fiat and smooth so that a good bearing and seating surface is provided between the rotatable seat and the outer face of the end wall. Seat 50 is preferably made of nylon or Teflon molded with the desired grooves and/or ribs. The latter material is preferred for sanitary purposes since it does not deteriorate or break into pieces which can fall into the keg.

The end wall 35 of the valve has a drain hole 80 which extends into, but not through, the end wall. Hole 80 is shown generally circular, but can be of the same general shape as the port 44, or any other desired shape. Hole 80 communicates with a recess 82, or slot, formed in the end wall beneath its seat confronting face 36 to form a washout or drain passageway. The drain hole 80 and recess 82 are sealed off from the interior of the valve by the remaining portion of the end wall. Slot 82 is shown shaped as a segment of a circle. Thus, it can be cut by moving the edge of a grinding wheel into the end wall 35 to a predetermined depth. The hole 80 can be drilled in the end wall to communicate with the slot 82. Thus, valves which do not have the washout feature to be described, may readily be converted to have it. Of course, the hole 80 and slot 82 can be formed by any other suitable technique. As shown, he lot 82 is through somewhat more than 90 of the periphery of the end wall. This has been found to be satisfactory but, of course, different size slots can be used.

During operation, when the valve is opened, the port 44 in the end wall communicates with the passage 64a in the butt through port 54 in the seat and 64 in the butt. Thus, fluid flows from the keg through passage 64a in the inlet fitting extension 65 to the drain fitting placed within the valve body. As explained above, the drain fitting rotates the butt between first (open) and second (closed) positions for the valve. This rotation is limited to approximately 90 by the half threads 30.

The drain hole has its center spaced or a few degrees less, clockwise from the center of the port 44. Rotation of the butt and seat through an arc of 90 to close the valve brings port 64 in communication with the hole '80. This places the valve in the washout position. In this position, caustic washing solution is usually pumped into the keg which is positioned so that the entire valve is turned 90 clockwise from the position shown in FIGS. 3-6, i.e., with the extension 65 pointing up and the drain hole 80 in communication therewith. Thus, the washing solution will flow through the inlet passage 64a of the extension member 65 and out through the drain hole 80 and the washout slot 82. The major portion of the curved washout slot 82 will be extending generally downwardly when the valve is turned 90 clockwise from the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to provide easy flow and drainage of the caustic solution from the inlet fitting out through the washout slot 82 in the valve end wall.

When the centers of port 44 and drain hole are spaced exactly 90 apart, rotation of the valve to the closed position will exactly align these centers, as shown in FIG; 6. It is preferred that the spacing be somewhat less than 90 so that the trailing portion of port 44, the lower portion shown in FIG. 6, will lie over the drain hole 8'0. This gives better drainage for extension 65.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 27, an arrangement is provided for limiting the rotation of the seat 50 and butt 60 and to ensure that they are positioned properly on the valve. An arcuate shaped depressed track 29 is formed in the end wall 35. Track 29 has an arc somewhat greater than 90, for example on the order of and its center is spaced somewhat less than clockwise from the drain hole 80. A downwardly extending post, or pin, 85 is formed on the butt at one end of its reduced diameter section. The reduced diameter sections of the butt and seat are of approximately the same are, i.e., 110, as the track.

With the valve assembled, post 85 extends into the track 29 and travels therein. As explained above, the half threads 30 limit rotation of butt 60 to 90. It is preferred that the post 85 be made of such a size so that it does not abut either end wall of track 29 when butt 60 is rotated between its open and closed positions. The 20 extra are on the track permits this. If the tapping device or valve threads 30 are faulty, rotation of butt 60 is limited to somewhat more than 90 between the open and the washout positions; Thus, the valve will still operate and it cannot be turned to a position where it will never be open. Further, use of the track and post ensure that the butt and seat can never be assembled 180 off from the proper position, in which case the valve can never be opened. This limit feature is also desirable in valves which do not have an extension inlet member or need washout.

As should be clear, the reduced diameter portions of the butt and seat are located with respect to the track so that no seat material overhangs the track during valve operation in the open or closed positions. This is decided 1y advantageous since it prevents the seat material from being skived and thereby eliminates one potential source of leakage. Further, the valve has complete opposing seating surfaces, except for the reduced diameter portions on the butt and seat.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention. Here, rather than use the generally circular washout slot 82, a second hole 88 is drilled through the end wall 36 to communicate with the drain hole 80. The second hole 88 is angled to extend generally downwardly when the keg is in the washout position. The operation of the valve is the same as described with respect to FIGS. 16, except, here, the drainage of the washing solution when the valve is in the closed position is through the communicating holes 80 and 85.

The valve of FIG. 7 provides a ready way of converting old valves to have an extension member with a washout since only two holes need be made in the valve, one hole 81) generally perpendicular to the face of the end wall 35 and the other hole 85 in the end wall generally transverse to the first.

What is claimed is:

1. A valve for dispensing liquid contents from a container comprising:

a body member adapted to be placed within a tapping hole of the container, said body member having an opening at one end thereof adapted to accept an actuating device from outside the container and an end wall with an outlet port therein into the valve body at the other end and adapted to be located within the container, said end wall also having a drain passageway formed therein with an access opening through the outer face of the end wall,

a rotatable spindle having one end thereof extending through said end wall, the other end of said spindle located within the 'body member for engagement with the actuating device which is adapted to rotate the spindle from a first to a second position,

and a valve member on said one end of said spindle and rotatable therewith, an outwardly extending inlet member on said valve member and a passage through said inlet member and said valve member, rotation of said spindle and the valve member to said first position bringing the passage into alignment with said outlet port, rotation of said valve member to said second position closing off said outlet port from said inlet member passage and bringing said inlet member passage into communication with said access opening to permit the inlet member passage to be drained through said drain passageway.

2. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said drain passageway in said end wall includes a slot communicating with said access opening formed through the periphery of a substantial portion of said end wall.

3. A valve as in claim 2 wherein said slot is generally arcuate in shape.

4. A valve as in claim 2 wherein said slot extends along the periphery of said end wall for approximately 5. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said drain passageway includes a first hole extending down into said end wall from the face thereof to form the access opening, and a second hole through the periphery of said end wall communicating with said first hole.

6. A valve as in claim 1 wherein cooperating means are provided on said valve member and said 'body member to limit the rotation of said valve member substantially between said first and second positions.

7. A valve as in claim 1 wherein the inlet to the extension member passageway is oif center with respect to said access opening when said valve member is in said second position.

8. A valve as in claim 6 wherein said cooperating means include a recessed track on the end wall of the body member and a post extending therein from said valve member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,115,149 12/1963 Tonna et al. 137323 X 3,115,150 12/1963 Sariotti et a1 137-323 X 3,279,493 10/1966 Zurit et a1. 137-323 3,302,660 2/1967 Haa'g 137323 X WILLIAM S. BURDEN, Primary Examiner. 

